Ex-Geneva official admits using city card for personal use

The former head of the streets department for Geneva pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he used a city credit card to buy himself clothes and camping gear, Kane County prosecutors said.

Steven Lemaire, 55, of Elburn, was placed on probation and ordered to do community service. He also must make restitution to the city of Geneva.

Lemaire was fired in February, following his arrest on felony theft and misconduct charges. Authorities alleged that he used a city credit card to make $24,000 in purchases for his personal use dating back to 2004.

Most of the unauthorized purchases were made online and then shipped to the Geneva Public Works Department, police said.

The city public works administrator noted a suspicious purchase on a credit card statement in January and placed Lemaire on unpaid leave the following day. He was fired about three weeks later, after police concluded their initial investigation, according to the city. He had been employed by the city for 33 years.